Summer done right!

Anjali Jhangiani

Monday, 30 April 2018

Linen King presents the Sakal Times Summersault powered by Suzuki Intruder, a two-day music festival featuring Farhan Akhtar, Vishal-Shekhar, Badshah and Mika, was a fun-filled event that witnessed a mixed crowd

There was maximum meltdown at Shiv Chhatrapati Krida Sankul, Mahalunge, Balewadi, last weekend. Kicking off Linen King presents the Sakal Times Summersault Music Festival powered by Suzuki Intruder, a two-day extravaganza, DJ Daw Geek took over the console and dished out everything from latest English commercial hits to Bollywood tracks from the ’90s to set the right mood for a fun evening. He left the audience high on energy as he ended his set with a track dedicated to the elephant god while everyone chanted ‘Ganapati Bappa Maurya!’ in unison.

Farhan Akhtar made his fans go weak at their knees as he entered the stage with a goosebumps-causing recital of one of his poems followed by a high-octane performance of Sinbad the Sailor with his band Farhan Live. “This song is special to me because it always takes me back to a time when my parents were really concerned about what I’m going to do with my life,” he said before presenting a slower-paced rock version of Main Aisa Kyun Hoon. Much to everyone’s surprise, the band gave Pichle Saat Dinon Mein a Michael Jackson makeover. After Senorita, when he threw a kiss wrapped around a rose into the audience, he performed Tum Ho Toh, finishing on a high note after doing quite a few push-ups on stage.

Then came a power-packed show by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani. Opening with an apt announcement —Bachna Ae Haseeno! Taking the audience on a nostalgic joyride, they reprised the hit songs they’ve made during their 18-year partnership like Salaam Namaste, Suno Na, Jo Bheji Thi Dua, Ek Main Aur Ek Tu Hai and so on. Taking a short break from their Bollywood work, Vishal thrilled the audience by singing his Coke Studio composition Madari. Shekhar made every one turn on the flash light on their phones and sway it in the air as he performed a couple of romantic tracks and then educated the audience on the importance of falling in love and the salvation it brings. Day one ended with ‘all the hot girls’ and ‘all the cool boys’ putting their hands in the air singing Om Shanti Om.

Day two kicked off with Badshah bringing a special guest on stage — Aastha Gill. They performed their latest hit Buzz for the first time in front of a live audience. In a fun mood on the breezy evening, Badshah chose to chit-chat with the audience between his songs. “I’ve been pretty busy for the last few weeks, haven’t been able to sleep or party. So we’re going to party real hard tonight!” he promised the crowd before bringing the house down with his chartbusters like Wakhra Swag, DJ Wale Babu, Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai, Mercy and more.

The last performer for the festival, Mika Singh, gave the audience a healthy dose of bhangra. He took the onus of delivering desi beats on the octopad and got lost in the vibe. He taught the audience a few bhangra steps so that they could do them while he performed his Bollywood hits like Subah Hone Na De, Hawa Hawa, Aaj Ki Party, Mauja Hi Mauja and more. The festival ended with everyone, on Mika’s instruction, doing the naagin dance!